Witch moth

Owlet moths from the family Noctuidae

We frequently see witch moths here at Lr3, mostly the black witch moth. They’re huge, up to 17 cm, and out of the corner of your eye seem like bats! One afternoon we got to witness the battle royale between an Allison’s anole and several brown anoles over a captured witch moth. The prey was 4 times the size of the small lizards! Its wings typically display dark brown to black colors, adorned with intricate patterns that provide excellent camouflage in its natural environment. Males are slightly smaller and solely dark-colored, while females feature a distinctive white band that crosses their wingspan.

  • August 24, 2024
  • 1607 local time
  • Air temperature: 85F
  • Likely species: Ascalapha odorata

We’ve spotted the white witch moth, also known as the ghost moth, on the northern parts of Long Caye. This moth showcases strikingly beautiful, pale cream to white wings, adorned with delicate, wavy brown lines that form a mesmerizing pattern resembling tree bark and can reach up to 30cm!

  • August 24, 2024
  • 1304 local time
  • Air temperature: 85F
  • Likely species: Thysania agrippina